A Heideveld family says their electricity bill has gone through the roof and have spent more than R100 000 on units over the past three years.

Karin Cornelius, 53, says she’s been living in Fiona Court for more than 33 years and has never paid so much for electricity until council workers renovated their block of flats in 2013.

“Three years ago when the council renovated our flats, we moved to the containers where we stayed for almost a year,” she explains.

“When we got back, that’s when the problem with the electricity started. We used to buy R300 electricity a month before the renovations, and now we use R3000 a month. How is this possible?

“I’ve gone to the local rent office where they told me it’s not their problem. The ward councillor told me there’s nothing he can do and I even went to the electrical department in Ndabeni but I was turned away, they said there’s nothing they can do either.

“They are all referring me to Helen Zille’s office,” a frustrated Karin says.

Pointing to stacks of electricity slips, Karin says they buy about R80 of krag every day.

The housewife says she and her family of five now have to live like bergies in their own home because she can’t afford to keep the lights on any longer.

“My electrical meter box has been replaced three times but the electricity is running down like water. If I have 20 units tonight, when we wake up there will only be three units,” she says.

“The only things that are on in the house is the TV and fridge. I don’t even put the geyser on and we only use the stove to make food once a week.

“Ek weet nie meer wat om te doen nie. My husband at times even puts off the main switch on the electrical box, but die krag loop nog steeds af. I just want them to fix the problem.”

Responding to a Daily Voice query, the City’s Mayoral Committee Member for Human Settlements, Councillor Benedicta van Minnen, says they are investigating the matter.

“The City is currently investigating the complaint… and will communicate the findings to the resident soonest,” van Minnen said.

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